Termites can lead to thousands of dollars losses and in order to prevent extra expenses it is much better to think about possible threat in advance.
Today there are different methods for termite prevention and stainless steel mesh termite barrier is one of them.
Of course, such barrier is not so widely used today because it is believed to be an obsolete method, but still there are many modernized stainless steel mesh termite barriers which are every effective against termites.
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- What is stainless steel termite mesh barrier?
- How stainless steel mesh can protect your house?
- Installation
- Useful articles
- Final decision
What is stainless steel termite mesh barrier?
Today there are two types of termite barriers:
- chemical barriers;
- physical barriers.
Stainless steel termimesh termite barrier belongs to physical barriers which are also known as safeguard termite barriers.
Safeguard termite barriers are created in order to be used for foundation of the house; this means that these barriers are mostly installed at the construction level.
Unfortunately, comparing with chemical termite barriers safeguard termite ones cannot guarantee 100 percent effectiveness. The point is that over some time termites can break your “protection line’ by eating this barrier, even if it is made of non-cellulose material.
Notice! This barrier will be an effective barrier against Subterranean termites.Subterranean termites are the most widely-spread termites. These pests build their colonies in the soil and like eating wood and other cellulose materials. If you decide to install stainless steel mesh below the ground, you will protect your house from termite invasion.
It is usually used for slabs, masonry and around pipes. If you add this barrier during the construction period, termites will be unable to penetrate the house.
Learn more about subterranean termites: signs of their activity; best methods of treatment and DIY methods. Eastern subterranean termites and their tunnels and tubes with photo.
How stainless steel mesh can protect your house?
It is usually installed around pipes, for slabs, masonry and any other areas which can be infected by termites. Unfortunately, the majority of houses always have contact with moisture. As far as soil and moisture are “best friends” of termites, these conditions attract them.
In this case you have to look for different solutions for your house protection and here comes stainless steel mesh termite barrier. It is completely non-toxic and safe for humans, pets and plants.
This becomes a significant factor for your house protection because many insecticides are forbidden to be used near water, and chemical barriers may influence human health in a negative way. Such a barrier can be used for any type of the soil and any type of moisture. As far as this barrier’s material is of high quality, it will serve for years.
The barrier is made of stainless steel mesh which has very small holes which are approximately of 0.66 by 0.44 millimeters size.
As far as these holes are very small, termites are unable to move through this mesh: termite head is too big for it.
High-quality steel serves as a physical barrier against termites because it is almost impossible for them to chew the barrier.
Of course, termite mesh barrier serves as a first-protection line against termites which will “alarm” you if termites are inside the house.
The point is that it may take several years until you notice that you have termite invasion.
If you have stainless the barrier, you will definitely see if termites have penetrated the house as they will leave noticeable tubes in the barrier.
Advice! If you want to find termite infestation in time, you have to inspect termite barrier regularly (at least once a year).Here you can learn more information about effective termite control remedies: Bora-Care, Boric acid, Borate, Fipronil, Chlorpyrifos, Chlordane, Borax, Timbor, Termidor, Terminator, Phantom, Lorsban, Biflex, Terro. You can choose different forms, such as – foam, liquid, powder.
Installation
Stainless steel mesh termite barrier can be installed at different levels: pre- and post-construction ones. Of course, it is much better to begin installation during the construction period but if you are sure that you do not have termites in the house, you can protect some parts even after.
If you have ever paid attention, termites like infesting electrical cables and connectors. These places can be a good start for the future house infestation as well. Unfortunately, electrical cables and connectors are forbidden to be treated chemically because there is a high possibility of these chemicals to get into the soil.
If you decide to protect not only your house, but electrical cables and connectors as well, this barrier will be a perfect decision.
Stainless steel mesh termite barrier is recommended to be installed by professionals.
It is very hard to find such a barrier in regular stores; furthermore, it will be really difficult to install the barrier by yourself.
That is why do not be afraid to call the professional pest control service which will help you with the process.
Today there are different sizes and shapes of stainless steel mesh termite barriers. Everything depends on the area which you are planning to protect. Different parts of the house may be chosen for protection; places which are more likely to be penetrated are the most popular.
These places include:
- vertical and horizontal cold joints, control joints and expansion joints;
- around the pipes which pass through the slab including all clusters of pipes;
- around the pipes which pass through the walls;
- in through the pipes;
- perimeter wall junctions;
- perimeter wall junctions between basement wall and first storey slab.
Here you can learn more information about termite bait systems: Advance, Green, CSIRO, Nemesis, Exterra, Firstline, Terminate. Also find out how to make baits by yourself and how to refill them?
Attention! Like any other physical barriers stainless steel mesh will not help you if you already have termites in the house, it can serve as a protection method against termite invasion in less visible areas.This barrier will help you not only if you have decided to protect your house. It will be also an effective measure for other wooden constructions which have a contact with soil such as fences, pole homes, gate posts, etc. Here you will just have to choose the right shape and the size of the barrier.
Useful articles
If you interested in more information of termites we recommend you to read the following articles:
- All types of termites. Are they harmful to humans? Can they bite you? And what is the difference between drywood and subterranean ones?
- What does swarmers of different species look like: drywood, subterranean, formosan?
- Signs of infestation outside and in the house: in walls or furniture.
- How to treat them at home and in the yard: in wood or in fence. How long this process lasts and what is pre-construction and soil treatment?
- What does termite holes look like? What is droppings and is it toxic to humans? Do termites make noises?
- Posible termite damage, how does it look like? Examples of damage in walls and wood floors.
- All about flying termites: how do they look like, swarming season and what to do if there are swarmers in your house?
- How do they do nests and mounds? How to find it in your garden or inside the house?
- Termite life cycle – from egg to larvae. And social hierarchy: workers, soldiers, queen.
- Did you know that termites can infest living trees, for example a palm or a pine tree. They also like to live in stumps.
- You can prevent the infestation by using barriers, such as: HomeGuard, Physical systems, Safeguard, Kordon.
- If you want to get rid of termites naturally, learn more about such methods as: heat or cold treatment, orange oil, using nematodes.
Final decision
If installed properly, the barrier is a perfect protection barrier against Subterranean termites. This barrier can be used for almost any kind of surface and in any kind of environment. Such barrier is completely safe and non-toxic to humans, pets and plants.
Furthermore, this barrier will serve for many years because of its high-quality stainless steel.
In addition, the barrier is created as a mesh which makes termites unable to penetrate the house because termite heads are too big for mesh holes.
This barrier can be easily used not only for house protection, but also for other wooden construction such as fences, electricity cables and connectors, pole homes, etc.
Unfortunately, this barrier does not give 100 percent warranty against termites because as soon as termites realize that they cannot enter the house in this place, they start looking for a hole in the barrier.
That is why stainless steel mesh termite barrier will be more effective in combination with other protection methods. Here professional pest control companies may help you to decide which way to choose.
